Brandon Moss excited but a little apprehensive on return to A's

Brandon Moss is realistic about his chances about being with the A’s for Opening Day.

Moss is 34 and coming to an A’s team that would seem to already have an everyday first baseman in Matt Olson and a regular designated hitter in Khris Davis, who signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal on Jan. 10 to avoid arbitration. It would also seem prospect Renato Nunez would also be in position to see time at both first base and DH.

Monday, Moss and left-hander Ryan Buchter were acquired by the A’s from the Kansas City Royals for right-handed pitchers Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer.

Unless another trade can be worked out, though, it appears Moss will be going to Arizona hoping to win a spot in spring training.

“I’m just going to go to spring training and hope that it works out and hope that there’s a spot. That’s all that you can really do as a player. That’s all I’m looking at. I’m excited.”

When host Harold Reynolds said that he already has Moss penciled in the heart of the A’s order, Moss replied with a smile, “I don’t see how that’s possible.

“They got a lot of guys that do exactly what I do over there. I hope it works out because I absolutely love Oakland. All of my best memories are in Oakland.”

Moss hit .254 and had 76 home runs and 220 RBI in 376 games with the A’s from 2012-2014. This past season with the Royals, though, he hit just .207 in 118 games with an OPS of .707, a noticeable dip from his respective career numbers of .237 and .766 in each category.

“Very seldom in my career have I had a guaranteed spot going in anywhere,” Moss said. “But it’s one of those things where hopefully I go and do what I usually do in these situations and thrive and make (the team).”

Moss was also asked about the lack of movement in the free agent market in the offseason, as a number of players remain unsigned with less than a month to go before pitchers and catchers are supposed to report.

Moss said the players have to share some responsibility for what’s happening in the marketplace.

“Everybody wants to look up and scream collusion, everybody wants to look up and scream this isn’t fair,” Moss said. “But sooner or later, you have take responsibility for a system that you created for yourself. It’s our fault.”